An Introduction to Holistic Pet Care

Much of modern thought is geared to seeing theof health to our Western way of life. During this time I
individual as a series of separate systems whichcame to realise that acupuncture suffered from the
function independently of each other. We havesame important shortcoming as modern medicine - the
specialists for skin, kidneys, nervous system, bones,illness itself was being treated but the management did
heart and so on.not address the cause of the problem.
Food companies produce whole ranges of veterinary"At the same time I became a student of the
-only diets, each food designed to treat or manage aMacrobiotic movement which was in great vogue in
specific health problem. Diets are developed containingBritain in the seventies but which has now disappeared
supplements to promote healthy joints or immunefrom view (in the UK at least). Macrobiotics attempted
systems, clean teeth, avoid hairball and so on.to apply and adapt ancient, traditional philosophy in a
At any time there are many thousands of biochemicalway which was practical and appropriate to our
and physiological reactions occurring in the body.modern lifestyle
These reactions are co-ordinated and controlled in"Although much maligned at the time Macrobiotics
ways which have evolved over millions of years andseemed to me to complement my scientific training
which we can barely begin to understand. Any effortalthough in some respects it presented an opposing
to influence these reactions is crude and limitedview. In particular Macrobiotics, like many other
compared to the body's own capabilities.branches of complementary medicine taught that most
The objective of Holistic Medicine is to follow a lifestyleillnesses originate in the main from improper lifestyle
which provides the conditions for the body to maintainespecially the daily diet.
a healthy, stable condition."By extension it follows from this that correct diet can
By far the most important element and the one overbe used to treat many illnesses or, more accurately,
which we have most control is the daily dietcorrect diet can allow the body to make the
"We don't know what causes the problem, we don'tnecessary adjustments in order to heal itself
know how to cure it but we can use drugs to relieve it"By experimenting on my own diet I was able to verify
until we really understand how to deal properly withthe principle that physical health and mental well-being
the problem."can be changed by diet. I decided to adapt and apply
(John Burns BVMS MRCVS, I972)similar principles to the understanding and practice of
"Shortly after qualifying as a veterinary surgeon I heardVeterinary Medicine.
myself saying these words on numerous occasions to"I advised my clients to avoid all commercial pet foods
owners of dogs with skin problems. I was beginning toand to feed only home prepared diets based on
realise I was not as well prepared to deal with healthbrown rice, good quality meat (chicken, fish or lamb)
problems as I would have liked. While drugs are usefuland vegetables. The results were remarkable in that
for treating acute illnesses and relieving the signs andmany chronic health problems could be managed by a
symptoms of chronic disease there are few if anysimple diet. But most pet owners found the task of
chronic diseases which can be cured by drugs.food preparation too impractical and could not keep it
"A few years later, having read some impressiveup long-term.
reports about acupuncture I decided to become an" I eventually came to realise that for the majority of
acupuncturist. The two-year course on Traditionalpets, a Holistic diet can only be possible if a suitable
Oriental Medicine attempted to unite ancient principlesprepared food is commercially available.